Chatfield charged in two meth cases

COLDWATER — Admitted meth addict Timothy Chatfield, 34, is back in jail after he wrecked his car fleeing from Michigan State Police Wednesday night on Ray-Quincy Road.

Trooper Alan Fouty spotted Chatfield speeding and tried to stop is car. Chatfield fled until he lost control near the curves in Algansee Township, ending up in a yard of a house south of Grove Road.

Chatfield got out and tried to hide under the car, leaving his wife Angela in the passenger’s seat.

A search of the car found hazardous materials used to make meth. The Southwest Enforcement Team (SWET) of MSP was called to package and transport the hazardous materials.

Chatfield was charged with fleeing and eluding police, a five-year felony, and possession of meth lab components.

Coldwater officers last Saturday served a search warrant at Chatfield's Perkins Street home and located materials for a one-pot cook meth lab as well as burnt foils and syringes.

Because of his July 2009 conviction for possession of meth, the maximum penalty for Chatfield was increased to 40 years on the meth charges.

Branch County Prosecutor Ralph Kimble charged Chatfield as an habitual offender, which increased the maximum penalty to life in prison. Besides the 2009 conviction, Chatfield has convictions for meth possession and breaking and entering in 2008 in Centreville.

In 2009 Chatfield, who admitted being addicted to drugs since age 11, was sentenced by Branch County Circuit Judge Bill O’Grady to prison for 38 months to 10 years for possession of meth and concurrent time for a probation violation after numerous attempts at rehabilitation failed.

Branch County District Judge Brent Weigle set a total $200,000 bond and scheduled preliminary exams for April 15.